Resolutions for 2006

I just picked up a copy of "Jonathan Edwards' Resolutions" which he compiled from 1722 when he was 19 years old. It's truly remarkable that a 19-year old had such depth and profound wisdom into his own soul at that age. I've been convicted by several of them already...

"5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can."

These weren't just a list of aims Edwards' hoped would happen, but were a constant reminder of what did happen in his life as he strove with all his might to be a passionate lover of Christ. For example, this resolution was fleshed out in his life by his schedule... he arose between 4 and 5 a.m. and gave himself to several hours of prayer and meditation upon the Word in the quiet of the morning.

As we look at another year and think about what aims God would have us to strive for, Philippians 3:12-14 comes to mind. Paul wrote...

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

There are 3 truths that I'm praying will shape my 2006. The first is Paul's humble perspective of himself. He realized that he hadn't arrived to the final destination in his spiritual pilgrimage. Having the full knowledge and vision of Christ (3:8) would only occur when he saw Him "face to face" (cf. 1 Cor. 13:12). But for now, he would have to live with all of his imperfections and weaknesses and yes, even his sinfulness! I hope that this upcoming year might be a fertile one in terms of spiritual growth... I want to grow to be more like Jesus! But before I can grow, I need to keep in mind just how far I still need to grow in order to be like Him. It seems as though the spiritual life is one of ascending mountain cliffs. Just when you think you've reached the top of one, you stand amazed that there are countless more to climb. So I hope that 2006 will be one filled with what saints of old called "holy dissatisfaction" - praising God for His victories, but being holy dissatisified because there's so much more to know of Christ.

The second truth that struck me is Paul's hard pressing. Since he wasn't perfect and was still in the process of growing towards Christlikeness, he strove with all his might towards the finish line. And this pressing on towards the goal involved two things: forgetting and reaching forward.

First, he wouldn't allow anything from his past to become a hindrance to his ultimate aim of knowing Christ better. I'm sure this included his religious heritage as a Jew (3:4-7) as well as anything else (3:8) for that matter. As I look back on 2005, I see many failures, many selfish desires, many sins... so far to go still in my quest for Christlikeness! But Paul's example is so crucial... he made the deliberate and conscious choice to forget his sinful past so that he might know Christ. I have felt the dread of a spiritual "fatalism" where I feel as if I'll never grow and I'll remain in this permanent state of infancy and darkness. Paul's words release those shackles of pained memories and give me the freedom that Christ purchased for all of His children at the Cross (Rom. 8:1, 33-34).

The second proactive solution Paul employed in his life was to "reach forward." He kept his eyes on the finish line and strained with all his might to get there. He didn't sit back and think that he would reach the prize automatically. Rather, he "worked out his salvation with fear and trembling" knowing that God was mightily at work in Him (Phil. 2:12-13). He worked hard, by the grace of God and His power, to become a mature believer. I know I can work hard at my hobbies, but how hard am I willing to work at knowing Christ?

But what drove Paul to live his life this way? Why did Paul live so differently than the majority of Christians I know, including myself? I think verse 8 unlocks the key to this...

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,

For Paul, the knowledge of Jesus Christ (which isn't merely intellectual, but emotional and volitional as well) was better than anything in the world because of the "surpassing value" of Christ! This is the third truth that struck my heart... Paul's heart-felt passion for Christ! To Paul, his relationship with Christ meant more to him than anything the world could offer. In fact, if it in anyway rivaled his love for Christ, Paul considered it as "rubbish" (literally "human excrement"). And because he had this crystal clear vision of Jesus, it drove his life to forget anything that hindered his love for Him and also to reach forward with all his might.

Paul wanted what I believe every single believer desires to have... an intimate, growing relationship with Jesus. God implanted that desire in each of His children the moment He saved us. But the difference between Paul and myself often boils down to one simple thing: holy desire! Paul's passion for Christ moved him out of the "lazy-boy of life" and motivated him to do the things that he did. Whereas for me, I'm too easily pleased or too easily distracted to get up and know Christ in this way.

So my prayer for 2006 is simple: God, let me know you and draw ever so nearer to Christ! May I see His infinite glories clearly, and may that vision of Your glorious Son produce in my heart an unquenchable passion to love Him and live for Him!